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SWAINSON HAWK 

 342. Buteo swain-soni. 20 in. 



This species has the greatest variety of plumages 

 of any of our hawks. It has only three outer prima- 

 ries notched near the tips, while the two last species, 

 which are the only ones that can be confused with it, 

 have four. Adults in the light phase have a band of 

 rich chestnut across the breast. Adults in the dark 

 mse are uniform blackish-brown, with some rusty 

 Igings and with thighs more or less rusty. Young 

 rds are buffy below, with elongated blackish spots. 

 s harmless character can be understood from the 

 ct that it is no unusual sight to find other birds, 

 h as Arkansas Kingbird and Bullock Oriole, nest- 

 j in the same tree; and the first mentioned species 

 goes even further than this, sometimes constructing 

 its home in the sides of the nests of the hawks. 



Nest. Of sticks and twigs, either 'in trees or on the 

 ground on rocky ledges; eggs white, spotted with 

 brown. (2.20xL70). 



Range. Western N. A., breeding from Texas to the 

 Arctic regions; east to Illinms and west to the Pacific. 



